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March 15:
We have a number of updates:
Saturday, March 15, 2003, Clearlake Observer

Money man answers questions about geothermal project

by Denise Rockenstein

The man behind the geothermal project proposed within the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund Clean-up site near Clearlake Oaks was present and answered questions on Thursday at the latest public discussion of the project. Frank Wright, the money-holder, explained his relation to the project.

"Recurrent Resources owns Clearwood Electric," Wright said. "I am Clearwood Electric."

The question as to who is actually responsible for the proposal has been a major issue pursued by Clearlake Oaks resident Wes Baker. Baker, who is among the many advocates opposing the drilling of up to six exploratory wells, recently exposed Recurrent Resources' lack of a business license for operation in California. Up until Thursday's meeting, past presentations have been sponsored by Recurrent Resources, a detail Baker pointed out.

Wright explained that Recurrent Resources and Clearwood Electric each hold various leases and/or permits that authorize the procedure of the project. Baker said it is important to know
exactly who is responsible for the project in order to provide the public with capabilities to pursue litigation should information or conditions be so to warrant a lawsuit. "Without knowing
who you are, we can't do that," Baker stated.

Many of the answers given by Wright were not graciously accepted by the majority. Regarding the toxic Herman Pit clean up plan, Wright said he would be willing to, if the Environmental
Protection Agency and the County of Lake would like, include waters from the pond into the completed plant's injection system, thereby lowering the level of the pit.

"This in itself is a mitigation of the mercury level into the lake," Wright said.

Baker rebutted that the Herman Pit has already been contaminated by toxic materials transported from Homestake Gold Mine and that regulations prohibit injections containing matter from outside the system's immediate grounds.

Chuck Lamb, another advocate against the project, said his investigation into the "so-called" Geothermal Resource Property Tax that Wright has stated would be funded to the county's tax base does not exist. Lamb also said that according to Jim Campbell, Lake County chief of assessment standards, the percentage total that the County would collect on the property tax of the $60 million project would amount to about $102,000.

Throughout the evening, Wright reiterated his concern to improve the quality of life in Lake County. However, many in attendance voiced their disbelief in his statement.

"We need to be really clear here and make sure we're shooting straight," said Elizabeth Burrit, a business owner and known community activist of Clearlake Oaks. "And we've said it several times - we're in the right place, doing the right things, and we're right where we want to be anyway. We don't need your help."

Evonne Beasley, tribal environmental consultant, who informed she's experienced in the area of environmental impacts and recently helped to secure grants to address watershed issues in the county, said in her opinion the project is not good for the area and poses a threat to worsen the condition of the Superfund Clean-up site.

"I've sat through many of these (EIR procedures) and they are all the same," Beasley said. "They (the developers) go through the process to get the permits, but they don't care."

Beasley invites public contact by email at wildcoyote2@msn.com as she would like to compile a survey for comparison of opposition and support for the project.

Lamb and Holly Harris recently distributed an informative newsletter in regards to the project. They have been following closely with the progress of proposal and hope to stop it before it
becomes a reality. A community action meeting will be held on Saturday, March 22, in two sessions: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge at the
intersection of highways 20 and 53.

Anyone interested in the Clearwood project is invited to attend. For more information or to volunteer your services, contact Kris Stempe, 998-4391; Colleen Beardsley, 998-3084; or Holly Harris at 998-0135.


March 12, 2003 in Clearlake Observer

Geothermal project public meeting Thursday

by Denise Rockenstein

The Clearwood geothermal project will be discussed again in public on Thursday, March 13, at the Clearlake Senior/Community Center beginning at 7 p.m. Frank Wright, Recurrent Resources owner and proposer of the project, will be present to clear up misconceptions brought about during February's meeting.

Wright, who was on his honeymoon and missed Clearwood's last public presentation, said he will be on hand tomorrow to provide answers to the many questions raised by residents at the previous meeting. One such issue was the involvement of Clearwood Electric in a litigation filed in 2002 charging California power companies of price gouging. Wright explained that all California electricity providers were included in that suit and that Clearwood, at that time, had not produced a single watt of electricity and therefore was dropped from the list.

"Whoever filed the suit took the entire list of independent energy producers that had power purchase agreements in California," Wright explained. "Clearwood was dismissed from the suit
because we had not produced any energy at that time." Wright added that Clearwood's energy price is set by the California Department of Water Resources.

Other issues Wright wishes to clarify are the operations that would affect the Herman Pit, which is a small toxic pond located within the Sulphur Bank Mine Superfund Clean Up Site.

"In our estimation and the estimation of others, lowering the level of the Herman Pit below the level of Clear Lake would drastically curtail the migration of mercury into the lake," Wright said. "We have volunteered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and County, if they want us to, that we will maintain the level of the Herman Pit below the level of the lake by including 100 to 150 gallons of water per minute into our injection well system. We have volunteered to do this for the community in order to do our part to clean up Clear Lake and
enhance the tourist value and quality of life of the entire area."

According to Wright, the power plant would stand two-thirds of a mile south of the Sulphur Bank Mine; one mile from the nearest point on the lake and over a mile from the nearest group of houses, including those in the Elem Indian Colony. The facility would be constructed in a "bowl-shaped" geographic area, certainly isolated from view, and would not increase noise in the area.

"No one would hear this or see this plant unless they were in a helicopter," Wright said, adding that the 30 megawatts of electricity produced would be used locally. "This makes Lake County's power supply more secure; it makes everything more secure."

Wright also said a Geothermal Resource Property Tax would be added into Lake County's tax base as well as the one-percent property tax of a $60 million project.

March 11, 2003 in Record Bee

Geothermal meetings planned

Margaret Gan-Garrison - Record-Bee staff

CLEARLAKE OAKS - Concerned citizens on the Clearwood Geothermal Exploratory Project can find out more about it at the next community action meetings.

Two sessions will be held on Saturday, March 22 at the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge, 1 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.

Several Clearlake Oaks residents have spearheaded these meetings to keep residents updated on the concerns on this project.

"We distributed 10,000 newsletters throughout county and we have been getting calls everyday," said Clearlake Oaks resident Chuck Lamb, who opposes having any geothermal exploratory work done around Clear Lake. "Anyone concerned about this project is invited."

Clearwood Electric, a subsidiary of Recurrent Resources, will be having its monthly question and answer meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 13 at the Clearlake Community/Senior Center. Clearwood Electric President Frank Wright is expected to be present.

March 08, 2003 in Record Bee

Clearwood Electric hopes to broaden geothermal discussion
Margaret Gan-Garrison - Record-Bee staff

LAKE COUNTY - Clearwood Electric, subsidiary of Recurrent Resources and developer for the Clearwood Geothermal Exploratory Project has expressed desire to broaden the discussion on the next public meeting on the project.

"We have been so constrained by the CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) process and can only talk about the exploratory wells. We will still talk about it, but I hope to broaden the discussion and talk about how it (the project) fits in the Lake County," said Clearwood Electric's President Frank Wright. The monthly question and answer meetings are held at the Clearlake Senior/ Community Center. The next session will on Thursday, March 12 starting at 7 p.m.

"I would like to talk about where the power plant would be located if we build it and how it will be run," said Wright.

If built, the 30-megawatt plant would be located about two-thirds of a mile south of Sulphur Bank Drive. It would sit more than a mile from the nearest housing, in a bowl-shaped area where no one would see it and no one would hear it, said Wright, adding that there will be no visual or noise impact.

But Clearlake Oaks resident Holly Harris, who opposes the drilling project and the plant, said, "This doesn't negate the fact that they want to drill in a superfund site that is close to a lake, with the potential of the toxins getting into the lake, causing wildlife to leave and affecting tourism and the people on the lake. It doesn't do anything for Clearlake Oaks and Lake County in general. It is inappropriate to drill in the Clear Lake Basin or near the water," she added.

Repeating some of the information that was presented in the last meeting on Feb. 13, Wright said all the power the plant would generated would be sold to the California Department of Water Resources.

"They (Clearwood Electric) have been hyping a low-temperature close loop power plant," said Harris' husband, Chuck Lamb. "The truth is that they don't even know what kind of plant will be built. I have asked that very question to Eliot Allen, project manager and consultant for Clearwood Geothermal Exploratory Project. He said they couldn't be definitive on the plant until they know what can be found below."

Another benefit that Wright said would benefit the county is the electricity generated. "It would negate the need for Lake County to import electricity from other areas. It would also make the electrical grid more secure."

Other benefits to the county that Wright pointed to include property taxes from the plant (1 percent of the $60 million value); a geothermal resource property tax; and jobs for the county,
with an estimated payroll of $750,000 annually. "This is lower than the $1 million he talked about originally," said Lamb. "There is no guarantee of employment at Lake County. If the employees are not residents of the county, the payroll goes out of the county."

Wright said the biggest benefit the plant offered was the cleaning of the superfund site. "We have volunteered to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to Lake County that we would take a portion of the Herman pit water and inject it one mile down, under the earth, along with the thousands of gallons of water from the plant.

"This will bring the water level in the pit lower than Clear Lake," he said.

Richard Sugarek, EPA's project manager for the Sulphur Bank superfund site, said the idea of injecting water down into the site has been talked about for a few years.

"We (EPA) are exploring several options. The issue is to mitigate 100 gallons of water per minute," Sugarek said. "I want to make it clear that EPA has not made any decision on what the best way is to address the discharge. We are looking at several alternatives and trying to evaluate the engineering work needed.

"We expect to propose a clean up plan in May or June of this year and invite public comment. We will make a decision sometime this fall," said Sugarek, adding that this is independent of
Clearwood Electric's project.

Wright said he personally had been meeting with the members of the Elem Colony at least on a monthly basis, to keep them up to date.

On the relationship between Recurrent Resources and Clearwood Electric, Wright said Recurrent is a new limited liability company in Delaware.

Recurrent owns 95 percent of Clearwood Electric, which has purchased an existing geothermal plant in Utah.

Wright met with Supervisors Gary Lewis and Jeff Smith last Wednesday afternoon. Lewis said the meeting was arranged at Wright's request. The proposed project would have an impact on the constituencies they represent.

"He (Wright) made proposals saying that he would mitigate the concerns at the superfund site, Herman Impoundment, along Sulphur Bank Drive," said Lewis. "We told him that 'you need to be at the next (monthly) meeting and make these plans known to them.'"

Wright said he will also be attending the Board of Supervisors' meeting on March 18 when the EPA appears before the board to discuss the project.



Feb 19: Great Article by Denise Rockenstein in the Record-Observer

Geothermal drilling opponents voice concern

by Denise Rockenstein

Residents of Clearlake were brought up to speed with a presentation of the Clearwood Geothermal Exploratory Drilling project proposed in the area of Clearlake Oaks. The latest meeting was held at the Clearlake Senior/Community Center on Bowers Rd.

Many new faces were seen at the presentation hosted by Recurrent Resources, LLC, the company proposing the project, voicing concerns similar to those of advocates opposing the operation.

Chuck Lamb, a Clearlake Oaks resident leading a group to stop the project, was on hand with information obtained via the internet. Lamb provided documentation listing the energy company signed to operate the completed plant, Clearwood Electric, as a defendant in suit filed by the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California in violation of the Federal Power Act.

Clearwood Electric was named, among a list of others, in the complaint filed on Feb. 25, 2002, for charging California residents too much for electricity. A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission judge recommended that generators who supplied power to California during its 2000-01 electricity price surge, should refund $1.8 billion to the state. Clearwood Electric was included in that list of suppliers.

The question as to "who is Clearwood Electric?" was of heated discussion. Recurrent Resources, a limited liability company, introduced the project and has claimed to be its monetary support. Notice of Preparation for the project was dated Nov. 27, 2002, and issued by the Department of Conservation State of California, identifying Recurrent Resources as the project's applicant. According to Secretary of State documentation presented by Wes Baker, as of Feb. 11, 2003, Recurrent Resources is not licensed for business in the state of California.

"...I further certify that no record has been found in the Limited Liability Company files of this office of a California or Foreign Limited Liability Company, active or inactive, of the name: Recurrent Resources LLC," the certified document states, signed by Kevin Shelley, secretary of state.

Further documentation provided by Baker shows Clearwood Electric Company, LLC entered into a contract with the California Department of Water Resources on June 22, 2001. According to Secretary of State department records, Clearwood Electric became licensed for business in California on Oct. 3, 2001.

"We need to know who these people are," said Baker, who informed he will be speaking with the Attorney General in regards to notices published by Recurrent Resources and applicant legalities. "I don't believe any of this is legal."

Eliot Allen, Recurrent Resources consultant and host of the presentation, could not provide clarification on the relationship between Recurrent Resources and Clearwood Electric. "That is something I cannot respond to," he said. However, Allen did commit to provide an answer no later than next month.

Baker has also ignited concern in the State Assembly in relation to the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Super Fund Clean-up Site where in which two drilling sites are proposed. He said he will be meeting with an assembly person in the coming week.

The Elem Indian Colony, which lies within a one-half mile radius of the drilling sites plotted within the Super Fund site, have been negotiating with the Environmental Protection Agency over the past decade for solution to the clean up. Resolution has not be found to rid the area of its toxic hazards.

"Until the final litigations are done on this land," said Jim Brown, Elem Colony resident, "there should be no projects on this land."

According to Elem Colony environmental specialist Mike Umbrello, the Tribal Council has not officially taken a position on the matter and Elem members will be given the opportunity to voice opinion before the Tribal Executive Committee in the near future.

People concerned with preserving Clear Lake's serenity are invited to join in opposing the Clearwood Geothermal Exploratory Drilling Project at www.rummaging.com/clearwood/; or call Lamb at 998-0135 for more information or to request one of the 10,000 informative mailers recently compiled by his group.


Upcoming meetings - Recurrent Resources will be hosting a "Public Outreach Meeting" on Feb. 13th , 7pm at the new Clearlake Senior Center on Bower St. in Clearlake. On Feb. 14th, the Lake County Coordinating Resource Management Committee will be holding two short updates on the project - at 10:10 AM, Rick Sugarek will be giving an EPA update on the Sulphur Bank Mine, while Gary Lewis will have an update on the Clearwood Geothermal Project at 11:50. This is held (I believe) in the Board of Supervisor Chambers in Lakeport.

Feb 5:  Further article on the Geothermal Project, written by Elizabeth Larson of the Record Bee

Geothermal meeting planned

CLEARLAKE OAKS - Another public meeting has been planned to discuss the current status of a proposed geothermal project.

Recurrent Resources LLC of Palo Alto - the group that has proposed the Clearwood Geothermal Project - will host the question and answer meeting Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Clearlake Senior/Com-munity Center, 3245 Bowers Ave. (intersection of Bowers and Burns Valley Road) in Clearlake.

Recurrent's plan is to drill as many as six exploration wells - each between 2,500 and 5,000 feet deep - in the vicinity of Sulphur Bank Mine in an attempt to locate a source of commercial-grade geothermal energy. In order to have that plan approved, Recurrent must complete an environmental impact review (EIR), a process which includes meetings to inform area residents of the possible impacts of the plant, and which allows citizens to voice their concerns and objections to such projects.

The company has stated that if no geothermal energy is found, the exploratory wells will be plugged and abandoned and the project terminated. However, if the exploration is successful, Recurrent would begin the process of proposing construction of a geothermal power plant, which would require a second EIR. Eliot Allen, a consultant on the project, will lead the Feb. 13 meeting. In December, during a presentation to the Board of Supervisors, Allen stated that, if the EIR process is concluded within 90 to 100 days and approval for the project is given, drilling could begin this summer.

Meanwhile, Clearlake Oaks residents are voicing concerns that the project is being pushed through, and that its location near the Sulphur Bank Mine, an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site, makes it especially hazardous. Holly Harris and her husband, Chuck Lamb, have been compiling information about the project as well as reaching out to other residents and concerned citizens. "We're getting a lot of calls," said Harris.

She added that she and her husband are putting together a leaflet that will outline the project's specifics. They undertook the effort, she said, because of what they feel is a lack of available information on the subject, especially from local government. "It's amazing how little information we've gotten from the county," she said.

Community concern is also brewing in the Clearlake Keys. That area's property owners association recently produced a flier about the Clearwood Project in which it asks, "Is this a catastrophe waiting to happen? What can we do to prevent it?"

Allen said the project's scoping period - the time during which the public and the agencies involved identify project issues that require further study - ended Jan. 24. "What is happening now is the environmental analysis staff is compiling and cataloging all of the comments so that they'll have a master work program of all the issues that should be studied," said Allen, adding that the document should be ready soon. Allen said that he believed the amount of public comment received so far concerning the project has been "typical" given its nature and setting. He said the Feb. 13 meeting is the first of a series of monthly meetings that Recurrent will host to keep residents abreast of the project's latest developments.

"This is not an official agency meeting of any kind," he stressed. "This is strictly a courtesy meeting hosted by Recurrent to maintain communication and dialogue with interested citizens."

More information about the project can also be obtained at www.clearwoodgeothermal.com or by calling Eliot Allen at (503) 224-8606 ext. 1, e-mail eliot@crit.com. To read about citizen concerns regarding the project, visit rummaging.com/clearwood, which contains information compiled by Harris. Harris and Lamb may be reached via e-mail at rtnc@sonic.net.



Jan 17: Another great article, this time written by Denise Rockenstein in the Clearlake Observer American -

Saturday, January 18, 2003
Opposition voiced over geothermal project

by Denise Rockenstein
    Nearly 200 people filled the Moose Lodge in Clearlake Oaks on Thursday for the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Public Scoping Meeting for a geothermal drilling project proposed near the Elem Indian Colony.
    The consensus of the crowd voiced strong opposition to the idea of a geothermal power plant nestled anywhere near the shores of Clear Lake, let alone within the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund clean-up site.
    Recurrent Resources, the financial sponsor for the Clearwood Exploratory Drilling Project, intends to construct a "closed-loop" geothermal power plant, which will operate 24 hours a day, if the entire project be successful.
    Though the only questions currently at hand are the environmental effects of drilling up to six exploratory well to determine the presence of a feasible natural resource, opponents are driving to stop the project immediately.
    "I don't think anyone here is naive enough to think that this is a separate EIR from the power plant," said Spring Valley resident Lyn Fischbein. "Once the wells are drilled and a lot of money is spent, they will fight like hell to get the plant."
    Two consulting firms employed by Recurrent Resources and the drilling company hired to construct the wells explained their involvement during the presentation.
    Mark Winsor, of EDAW Inc., the firm hired to prepare the EIR and responsible for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process, explained that this is the beginning of a legal process. Once the draft EIR document is compiled, it will be made available for public review and comment for a period of 45 days after which another public hearing will be held.
    A final report will be submitted to the California Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR). The state agency serves the interest of the people and carries the responsibility of fulfilling the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Public Resources Code sections 21065.5 and 21090.1. Should the report fail to meet environmental standards, DOGGR will deny approval to continue.
    The purpose of the scoping meeting was to receive concerns citizens wished to be addressed in the impact report. Winsor informed approximately 50 submissions had already been received prior to the meeting.
    General concerns dealt with the effects on wildlife and vegetation; impacts on ground water and nearby lands and agriculture. Inducing earthquakes was another issue identified as was noise and vibration, among others.
    "My wife and I took a trip to Stagecoach, Nevada and (visited) a similar plant to the one proposed," said Clearlake Oaks businessman Jim O'Dell. "It is loud and earplugs are required inside the plant. I am happy to see safeguards against hazards but the main concern is noise."
    Aside from the depletion of serenity, contamination and the spread of airborne toxins is of high worry to those living nearest the site as well as those living beyond. Safety and public warning systems, and evacuation plans were questioned.
    Jim Brown III, representing the Elem Indian Colony and Lake County Tribes, conveyed the frustration felt on the reservation.
    "It's the same old government line," Brown said. "We've been trying to stop this for years. These are the questions that we've had that the government won't answer. The Tribe has been trying to sue the federal government for establishing homes on a toxic site and it seems every time we get somewhere, they change people on us."
    Brown explained that millions of dollars have been spent on university research in effort to rid the area of its hazardous wastes, yet no solution has been arrived.
    Another concerned citizen noted that the quarantined Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine zone prohibits people from walking on the lands in order to prevent contamination spread by toxins carried out on shoes. The disturbance and release of toxins that could result from drilling was also addressed.
    The possibility of infectious dust being stirred-up in redeveloping access roads as well as in their frequent use, worried one mother who said she transports her young children through the area on a daily basis.
    The comments of Wes Baker were raved and applauded. The two-year resident of Clearlake Oaks said he has many years experience in dealing with such projects and presented educated questions.
    He identified Recurrent Resources is a limited liability company and asked for definition of the county's liability; magma depth at the sites and noted that when water meets magma an explosion occurs; for a contingency plan for eruption as the proposed sites lie within an active volcano field; and recognized Prop. 65 which requires information of cancer producing products be disclosed. He also questioned transportation procedures to be used to haul hazardous materials on Hwy. 20.
    Copyright 2003 Clear Lake Observer.


Jan 16: For those that couldn't make it to the rescheduled Public Meeting ... it was a great turnout! Just over 200 people showed up, with the vast majority opposing the project. Attendees included young, old, local Clearlake Oaks residents, other interested Lake County individuals, members of the Elem Indian Colony, Sierra Club members and other property owners that had driven up from San Francisco and other parts of the Bay Area. After a presentation by the drilling consultants, Geothermix, and more on the EIR process by EDAW (who will be writing the EIR), the meeting was open to public comments and questions. Thirty people took a place at the podium to voice their concerns. The Record Bee (Stephan Clark) did a great job putting together an informative article quickly, which we have copied below. Please remember that comments/questions for the EIR need to be sent to Linda Campion by Jan 24 - the address is at the end of the article. Elliot Allen of Criterion (project manager for Recurrent Resources) also made a small presentation, stating that the company will begin a "Community Outreach Program" which will consist of monthly meetings, with the first one scheduled for Feb. 13. More info can be seen at their new website at http:www.clearwoodgeothermal.com

Friday, January 17, 2003
Crowd 'steamed' at geothermal project
By Stephan Clark - Record-Bee staff

CLEARLAKE OAKS -- Almost 200 people packed the Moose Lodge in Clearlake Oaks Thursday night to voice their concerns about a proposed geothermal development that would be located on and around the most toxic land in Lake County -- the abandoned Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine.
    Before airing their anger, fears and frustrations, those in attendance were given an overview of the Clearwood Geothermal Project by Ann Robertson Tait, a geologist hired by the project's proponent, Recurrent Resources, a limited liability corporation based in Delaware.
    Tait said up to six wells would be drilled, perhaps as deep as 5,000 feet, so that it could be determined if there is a commercially-viable geothermal resource beneath the ground at the project site. The wells would be encased in steel, and would be built one after the other, with each requiring between 30 and 45 days to be constructed, according to Tait.
    Two of the wells would be located on the abandoned Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine, which has been listed as a Superfund site for more than a decade and has yet to be mitigated.
    Though the drilling rig required to construct the wells is 120 feet tall, only a six-foot tall well-head would be left behind, Tait added. If it was determined the wells could produce a profitable stream of "green" electricity, a power plant would be built near the wells. If it was determined the project was not viable, the wells would be plugged with cement and abandoned.
    "The whole idea is to determine what's down there," said Tait. "This is part of that drive for cleaner electricity."
    The California Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGER) hosted the meeting so that it could identify the issues that would need to be addressed in the project's environmental impact report (EIR).
    Because it's not known if enough hot water and steam exists beneath the project site, the EIR will only concentrate on the drilling of the wells, according to Mark Winsor, with EDAW, Inc., the San Francisco-based firm hired by DOGGER to complete the EIR.
    If enough resources were discovered to produce power on a profitable basis, a second EIR "on the construction and operation of a power plant" would follow, Winsor said.
    Only one citizen speaking Thursday night seemed eager to see the plant built, saying it would provide badly needed power to a state whose power needs aren't keeping pace with its population growth.
    Other area residents came one after the other to a podium in the front of the lodge's conference room to express their concerns on a wide range of issues relating to the project, including the hazards it posed to the Superfund site, Clearlake, birds and wildlife, the neighboring Elem Rancheria, and residents approximately one mile away in Clearlake Oaks.
    Wes Baker, a Clearlake resident, questioned how the project would deal with any hazardous water or dirt it removed from the Superfund site, along with the toxic waste that might be produced by the power plant and its wells.
    "How do they plan to transport the hazardous materials on Highway 20 past the (Highway) 53 junction," he said. "One truck wreck and it's in our lake."
    Joan Moss, a Kelseyville resident, also criticized the plan to pursue drilling on the Superfund site, saying the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been unable to determine how contaminated water moves from an impoundment pit on the Superfund site to Clear Lake.
    "The reason this is still a Superfund site is because the EPA has not figured it out," she said.
    With three members of the Lake County Board of Supervisors in attendance, Herb Gura, president of the Konocti Unified School Board, said it was "totally ridiculous" to champion the production of "green energy" on a Superfund site that's located on the shores of Clear Lake. He urged the county's political leaders to "stop this monstrous thing from happening here."
    Others worried that the well-drilling might trigger an explosion or release of toxic gas. Still more people said the project would create a mere 10 or 15 jobs, all of which might be filled by non-local residents, and that the electricity produced would be sent out of Lake County, to join California's energy grid. With this apparent lack of benefits, Marvin Tamblyn, a Clearlake resident, said, "All we're getting is an eyesore on top of a problem."
    Winsor said the comments received Thursday night would be incorporated into a draft-EIR that would be available "probably some time this spring." DOGGER will accept written comments on the project until Jan. 24.
    Send them to: Linda F. Campion, associate oil and gas engineer; Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources; 801 K St., 20th floor, MS 20-20; Sacramento, CA 95814-3530. Copyright 2003 Record-Bee. 

Jan 15: To-date roughly 4000 flyers have been passed out to Clearlake Oaks residents, as well as most businesses along Hwy 20 in the Oaks and Glenhaven. Others have been circulated to many of the towns around the Lake, as well as the libraries, bulletin boards, etc. If you would like to get involved and get donate time, effort, expertise or funding, please drop us an email!

Jan 9: Site Visit - Despite cold rain and lots of mud, about 40 people showed up for the site visit held at the corner of Sulphur Bank Rd and Sulphur Bank Mine Rds. None of the proposed drilling spots could be accessed (EPA would not allow people on the Superfund Site) so the locations were pointed out. While it has been said that 3 of the 6 locations are on the Superfund site, the EPA has stated that they consider four of the six sites to be under their management.

Jan 2:  To-date we have passed out at least 1500 flyers to local residents, businesses, etc., informing them of the project and meeting. If you are interested in passing out flyers to your community, please let us know. We have also obtained a mailing list of all parcel owners within 3 miles of the proposed site, and 1000 postcards have been mailed to out-of-county property owners within about 1.5 miles of the site. If anyone is interested in donating $0.23 postcard postage stamps, we will be able to send out more. If so, give us a call at 998-0135. We have also added more links on the Puna, Hawaii geothermal site. Unfortunately, this is the only one similar in scope that we have any information on.

Dec. 30: It is confirmed - a  new meeting has been scheduled for Jan. 16, 2003 at 5:30-8pm at the Moose Lodge on Hwy 53 and 20. The new deadline for comments/concerns on the EIR is Jan. 24. A public site visit is planned for Thursday, Jan 9th at 1pm. Interested parties should park at the corner of Sulphur Bank Drive and the entry roads to Elem Colony and the mine. Park on the side of the road. Two of the proposed drilling sites will not be seen, as the EPA will not allow anyone to enter the site. Other locations will be pointed out.

For those that missed the Dec. 19 Public Meeting .... despite a fluke snowstorm, the Dec. 19 Public Meeting to discuss comments/concerns was well attended, with about 75 people present. A 30-day deadline extension request was made for the EIR scoping questions. Midway through the meeting - and before anyone could comment on their concerns - the Fire Department announced that the Highway was closing. As many had to leave, the remaining attendees became quite concerned over  lack of public input. After a lively discussion, the DOGGR agreed to reschedule the meeting and grant the extension. A new meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Jan. 16, 2003 at 5:30 at the same Moose Lodge - they just need to confirm that the Hall is available. The new deadline for comments/concerns on the EIR is Jan. 24.

Dec. 19, 2002 at 1pm: Public Meeting to Discuss comments/concerns regarding Phase 1 of the Clearwood Geothermal Project. This will address the EIR associated with the drilling phase. The meeting will be held at the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge, located at Hwys 53 and Hwys 20.

We've just added a Discussion Bulletin Board for those interested in sending information, asking questions of others, etc. Please feel free to peruse through it and add any thoughts.